Annual Gala of the American Chamber of Commerce in Morocco (AmCham) provided a platform to reaffirm the commitment of the two nations to strengthen their economic collaboration and increase trade in the years to come.
The Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, stressed that this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Morocco and the United States. He called for a thorough evaluation of this agreement in order to further balance trade.
Although trade volume has increased 2.5 to 3 times over the past two decades, the Minister of Industry and Trade noted that Moroccan imports from the United States still far exceed exports. “We have incredible opportunities to offer American companies, enabling them to increase their market share in Europe, Africa and beyond,” he said.
For his part, Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, spoke of the fruitful collaboration between the two countries, which is manifested through businesses, jobs and investments, as well as through technology transfer. He also highlighted joint efforts to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and facilitate the integration of young people into the job market.
Thanks to this partnership, fifteen vocational training schools were established, training thousands of young people, 80 to 85% of whom found employment.
The United States Ambassador to Morocco, Puneet Talwar, highlighted the growing strength of economic ties between the two nations. He highlighted Morocco’s stability and security as well as its modern infrastructure, citing the port of Tanger Med as a successful example of the country’s strategic initiatives. Talwar affirmed that Morocco is positioning itself as a gateway to Africa for American investors.
Rabia El Alama, Director General of AmCham in Morocco, also highlighted the crucial role of the Chamber in promoting trade and investment opportunities. She recalled that this Gala was an opportunity to celebrate a unique partnership based on common values and mutual respect. She mentioned several historic successes in this relationship, such as the Treaty of Friendship signed in 1786 and the Free Trade Agreement signed in 2004.
The partnership between Morocco and the United States continues to strengthen through strategic initiatives focused on job creation and the integration of young people into the world of work.
